Congratulations on your pregnancy
This is a maternity information website provided for women of Porirua and surrounding areas.
Full LMC Midwifery Care
Porirua to Pukerua Bay.
An LMC is your Lead Maternity Carer. This is the person qualified to provide you with appropriate maternity care. In New Zealand, this is usually a midwife as the universally recognised experts in normal pregnancy care, birth, and postnatal care. Midwifery care is therefore fully funded and free.
Having that continuity of one Lead Maternity Care midwife can be really satisfying as you develop a reciprocal and trusting relationship. It can also achieve best outcomes, with one health professional most familiar with your maternity and health history leading your care.
LMC midwives work independently, in charge of managing their own caseload. They also have support from other midwives, often in groups or partnerships. They also interact and consult with other health professionals on a regular basis where it is essential to someone's plan of care. This could be obstetricians, nurses, or GPs.
An LMC midwife undergoes continuing education and review once
qualified, to maintain their annual practicing certificate.
What does full LMC care mean?
Full care means we take care of it all, from the beginning of pregnancy through to 6 weeks postnatally with your baby. We're your key point of maternity related contact and care.
During pregnancy we guide you through all planning, offer routine screening including blood tests and scans, and take general assessments of you and your developing baby's health and wellbeing. We're familiar with the general aches and pains of pregnancy so can offer solutions to a multitude of those experiences. We're also alert to screening for complications and managing these, or referring for other expert help when needed.
At the time of birth, we're as excited as you are. It can be a nervous time for women and whānau, no matter whether its your first or not, however we are here to keep you safe and help you through. This can be a time when we really come through for you in some of your most challenging and elated moments.
Postnatally, the transition to becoming a parent (again) and getting to know your new baby can be daunting as well as the best thing in the world. Its such a big responsibility taking this new baby home and being their parent. Midwives support you through this with help getting to know your baby and their cues, knowing whats normal and what isn't, and understanding how to feed and care for your baby. Helping mum to recover and thrive is vital during this stage. Being there to support other parents and family to fully participate too is part of helping with the postnatal transition.
My style of midwifery care
I won't write a lot here but in brief, I have experienced midwifery care myself and know how empowering and enlightening this time can be, especially when supported by a midwife who listens to you and will work with you and your beliefs.
Normal birth
For my part, I trust in nature and I go with the research. Both of these point to midwifery care achieving optimal safe and satisfying outcomes, when birth is at a midwife-led facility or home, free of unnecessary interventions unless they will improve a situation. Clinical care is offered and carried out
to ensure all remains normal. Midwifery techniques are used to support you and encourage you, enhancing your experience in the most comfortable way. For women expecting a normal birth, I offer birth care at Kenepuru Maternity Unit or at home. If complications arise during pregnancy or birth, we are able to alter our course and transfer to Wellington hospital.
Caesarean section
Not everyone is planning on a normal birth and some will have the unique experience of a caesarean section to welcome their new arrival. I also welcome women under my full LMC care who are planning this mode of birth due to previous caesarean section or other medical indication.